KLSD Reopens 2020
July 31, 2020
Dear KLSD Community,
Today we share KLSD Reopens 2020 – our school reopening plans as required by New York State Education Department and Department of Health.
These plans are our current thinking about what is possible. Because circumstances change quickly, our plans will evolve. Public health data, along with the latest science on the coronavirus, will impact exactly how and when we’re able to open. Governor Cuomo has said he will issue a statement about all NYS schools by August 7.
Most importantly, our plans prioritize health and safety and educational needs. We want our students in school as often as possible, but we must be mindful of the critical protocols that protect the health and well-being of students, staff, and our entire community. If we are to succeed, this must be a collective endeavor.
Regarding school calendar, we will begin this year with two staff development days, September 8 & 9 (February 16 is now a student day). The first day of school for students is now September 10. Our staff are undertaking an enormous challenge and it’s critical we give them the necessary support so they can do this work to the high standards to which they aspire. As the year begins, we will find opportunities for additional professional learning so that your children can have the best possible experiences.
Some of you have asked if families can choose for their children to stay home full time, regardless of how we open. We have designed our plans with this in mind but cannot say today that the experience will be the same for all students. We will keep working to make it as strong as we can. Next week, we will again ask all families to let us know their intentions for the fall (now informed by knowledge of our plans). That data will help us determine more precisely the experience we can provide both in person and remotely. We will require a prompt turnaround and a firm commitment in order to best serve all.
Finally, we learned from our spring survey that some families do not have adequate internet connectivity to engage effectively in a remote learning model. If this is the case for your family, please complete this very brief survey by Monday, August 3rd. This will help us research and provide solutions for you.
No matter how school opens this fall, we look forward to welcoming our students. We are here to engage them, to help them grow, to support their understanding of their world and themselves, and to nurture their compassion, empathy, and curiosity. No matter the obstacles and the circumstances around us, that is our mission.
Be safe and be well,
Andrew Selesnick, Superintendent of Schools